Lascaux IV at the European Heritage Days 2025

Snøhetta, the Dordogne Departmental Council, and Sémitour-Périgord are delighted to host a special cultural event on 19 September at Lascaux IV – The International Centre of Parietal Art. Held in celebration of the European Heritage Days, this event offers a rare opportunity to step into the immersive world of Lascaux IV and its evocative recreation of the prehistoric cave paintings discovered in the 1940s.

Designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with SRA Architectes and scenographers Casson Mann, Lascaux IV opened in 2016 as a landmark of contemporary architecture and museography. Seamlessly embedded in the landscape of the Vézère Valley in France, the building bridges prehistoric heritage with modern design, offering a powerful reinterpretation of the original cave.

Read more about Lascaux IV

13:30 – 14:00 | Dance Performance
Experience the world premiere of Hidden, a compelling dance performance by choreographer and dancer Daniel Proietto, inspired by the architecture of Lascaux IV and the myths surrounding the prehistoric art. Featuring principal dancer Yolanda Correa alongside Proietto, the performance is a collaboration between the Norwegian National Ballet, Know Nation and Snøhetta. 

14:00 – 15:00 | Round Table & Book Preview
Join a conversation between Snøhetta’s Kjetil Trædal Thorsen and author and curator Frédéric Migayrou exploring the genesis of Lascaux, including a preview of Snøhetta's forthcoming book authored by Migayrou. The discussion will delve into the architectural vision, the building's integration with the landscape, and the recreation of the cave experience—highlighting its impact on our understanding of prehistoric art.

15:00 – 16:30 | Guided Architectural Tours
Take part in guided tours of Lascaux IV and its facsimile, led by members of the Snøhetta team, and gain behind-the-scenes insight into the project's conceptual development, design challenges, and architectural innovations.

16:30 | The event concludes with final reflections and acknowledgments.

This event also marks a local celebration of the Norwegian Houen Award—Norway's highest architectural honor—awarded in 2023 to Snøhetta and the Dordogne Departmental Council for their work on Lascaux IV.

Attendance is free, but spaces are limited. Please register in advance to secure your place.